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Conference

How do I Register?

You may register online by filling out the online registration form. Once you click submit, it will direct you to PayPal to pay for your registration via PayPal or by credit card. You may also call us at (615) 599-4032 once you click submit to pay by credit card by phone during regular business hours (M-F 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST).

A breakout session is a special, additional session that is an in-depth workshop or panel and is not included in the basic conference registration. Sign up for breakout sessions here.

What is the Killer Nashville crime scene?

The crime scene is a unique presentation staged by special agents and forensic professionals. The case is based on real crime scene investigations. Attendees gather clues and try to solve the case. The Killer Nashville registered attendee who best interprets the clues and solves the “murder” wins the Killer Nashville Dupin Detective Award, which includes a free registration to the next year’s conference.

How can I sign my books at the conference?

When you register, click “yes” to the question, “Are you a published author?” When prompted, type in your book’s title, publication date, and publisher information. If needed, additional titles may be typed into the box for additional comments. If our bookstore liaison is able to order your books, the books will be carried in the on-site conference bookstore. For information on how to make your books available on consignment via the Killer Nashville bookstore, please visit our bookstore & signing page.

How do I speak on a panel / session / workshop?

If you are a published author or a law enforcement / forensic professional who would like to be a Killer Nashville panelist or presenter, when you register, click “yes” to the question, “Would you like to be considered for a workshop, seminar, or panel?” Provide us with the topics you would feel most comfortable discussing, and in the same box, please explain if you have any special qualifications or skills that would influence your panel placement.

While we can’t guarantee anyone a slot, we do our best to find a panel placement for every published author and law enforcement/forensic professional who requests one. If you’ve requested a panel placement, you’ll receive an email with more details in late April or early May. If you would like to propose a solo presentation, please send your proposal to us contact@killernashville.com.

Schedule

When is the schedule posted?

A tentative schedule is put up in the winter. This is a broad-strokes schedule, with many general descriptions (like “Business Workshop 1” and “Craft of Writing Panel”). The schedule is updated as more sessions are defined, but the final schedule is not generated until a month or so before the conference, because panel assignments are dependent on the number of authors and law enforcement/forensic professionals registered. To view the current schedule, please find it in the drop down menu under “Conference.”

When are the breakout sessions listed?

The general categories are placed on the tentative schedule in the winter. More specific designations are added in the spring and early summer. To purchase a breakout session, or read more about them, please go to our breakout sessions page. You can change your breakout selections at any time as long as the sessions have not happened yet and there is still room in the particular breakout you would like to move to.

How can I register for a breakout session if I don’t know what it’s about?

Most attendees who register for breakout sessions register for a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday session. If you know what general category you’re most interested in, you can sign up for the breakouts in that category when you register. Once you get to the conference, you can switch from one breakout session to another breakout session scheduled on the same day as long as the session you are interested in still has room. Alternatively, you can wait until the breakouts are finalized a month or so before the conference and add them then.

Agent / Editor / Publisher

What is a roundtable?

Each roundtable consists of 8-12 writers, 2 agents and/or editors, and a volunteer to read submissions. Writers provide copies for each member of the group and may choose to remain anonymous by not placing identifying information on the pages. After each manuscript is read, the agents and/or editors will give constructive feedback on the pages. Each agent and editor has been asked to keep comments instructional, helping writers see both their strengths and where they need to improve. Agents and editors may request partial or full manuscripts, if desired, or—if they thought a manuscript had promise—could suggest the writer submit once he or she has implemented the suggested changes. Because it is understood that these sessions are educational in nature, in practice, each session serves as a pitch without penalizing a writer whose work is not yet ready for representation or publication. In addition, each writer can learn from what is said to the others.

With “speed-dating-style” pitch sessions, it’s easy to get an agent or editor to say, “Sure, send me some pages.” This is partly because you’re engaging and they like you, partly because it’s hard for them to say no to a hopeful writer who is standing right in front of them, and partly because, outside of genres and subjects they know they don’t represent, it’s impossible to know if a project is right for them until they read some of it. On the surface, this sounds like a good thing, but what happens when they get that submission? Often, there are problems that result in a form rejection—problems the writer could have fixed had he or she only known they were an issue. The writer never knows why the manuscript was rejected or what could be done to make it better.

With a roundtable, you receive feedback on those vitally important first pages. If the manuscript is professional, polished, and ready to go, you’ll either get a request for more pages or the assurance that they are ready to be submitted to the agent of your dreams. You send them out knowing you’ve already crossed the first hurdle. If your manuscript has promise but is not yet ready for submission, you have a chance to revise before you submit. In essence, the round tables give you two chances to get it right.

An added perk is that the agents and editors are more relaxed. They feel good about helping emerging writers in an instructional setting. In this environment, it’s easier to connect with them on a personal level.

When is my roundtable session?

There are two roundtable sessions for 3-day registered attendees each day. By the time the conference rolls around, you will have been in contact with us for several weeks and will have received a round table schedule. There will also be copies of the schedule at the registration/information desk.

How many roundtable sessions can I be in?

How many sessions you can be in depends on how many 4-day registered attendees request sessions. We assign each person one session to begin with. Once everyone has been assigned one session, if there are slots remaining, we add a second session, beginning with those who registered earliest. Once everyone who requested a second session has been assigned, we begin assigning third sessions, beginning with those who registered earliest. This process continues until we run out of sessions or until we run out of people who want them. Since there are two publishing professionals heading each session, each roundtable is the equivalent of two pitches and two critiques.

Who is my roundtable session with?

That depends. Before the conference, you’ll receive an email asking you to rank your roundtable preferences. We do our best to give everyone at least his or her first choice.

Awards

What is the Killer Nashville Claymore Award?

The Claymore Award is bestowed upon the author of the best opening (up to the first 50 pages) of a manuscript not currently published or under contract. Ten finalists are chosen through a blind judging process and sent to a final judge at a publishing house not affiliated with Killer Nashville. This final judge will read the Top 10 and recommend the winner of the annual Claymore Award. You do not have to attend Killer Nashville to be eligible for this award.

The purpose of the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award™ is to honor the best bookspublished for the first time that are readily available to a North American audience in any format from the past year. The categories include both fiction and nonfiction.

The winner is selected by a team of judges active in relevant fields.

Do I have to attend Killer Nashville to enter or win the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award?

No. But, if you do attend Killer Nashville in a year that you have a book nominated, you do qualify for an additional entry into the Silver Falchion Award in the category for Best Attending Author.

Can I nominate an e-book for the Silver Falchion Award?

An e-book is eligible so long as it meets the same requirements we have laid out for printed works.

Is a self-published or indie published book eligible for the Silver Falchion Award?

Yes! Any book published for the first time in the previous conference year readily available to the North American market is eligible for the Silver Falchion Award.

What is the Dupin Detective Award?

The registered attendee who best interprets the clues and solves the murder of the mock crime scene wins the Dupin Detective Award, which includes free registration to the next year’s conference.

Manuscript Critiques

A critique is an individualized session in which an editor, agent, or published author gives you feedback on your query letter or the first 10-15 pages of your manuscript. Sign up for a manuscript critique here.

I’ve signed up for a critique, now what?

Several months (depending on when you purchase your critique) before the conference, you will receive an email asking you to choose the person to do your critique, then a second email giving you instructions for delivering the material to that person. You and the person doing your critique will arrange a time to meet at the conference and discuss your work.

Who will do my critique?

The critiques will be done by an attending agent, editor, or published author. Since the people doing the critiques change from year to year, we send you a list of critiquers to choose from once you’ve registered for a critique. The critiques are first-come, first-served, so if your first choice reaches his or her quota quickly, you will need to choose someone else.

How do I know how to choose?

When you get your list of options, go to their websites and see what they write or represent. You might want to choose someone who writes or represents work similar to yours. Sometimes a writer asks us to help them choose, and we’re happy to do so.

One important note: Authors tend to give more detailed critiques than publishing professionals do. If you want a quick overview of how your work looks to an agent or editor, choose a publishing professional. If you want a more detailed and craft-focused response to your work, you will probably be happier if you choose an author.

Hotel

You can book your room online at the Killer Nashville rate by visiting our hotel information page. Alternatively, you can call the host hotel and ask for the Killer Nashville group rate.

How do I book a room with early / late check in / out dates?

If you are coming to Killer Nashville and would like to stay in Nashville a few days before or after the conference, we would love to have you as a visitor of Nashville. To get the Killer Nashville rate for your entire stay (occasionally dependent upon availability for non-conference dates), you will need to call the host hotel in order to book your room.

Sponsors / Vendors / Advertising

How do I become a sponsor?

Go to the Killer Nashville support page to look over our various sponsorship options. Choose the options that best meet your needs and fill out the form at the bottom of the support menu. If you need assistance, email contact@killernashville.com or call us 615-599-4032.

How do I become a vendor?

Contact us to see if your product will be a good fit for Killer Nashville and whether you will be best served through a table rental or some other vendor arrangement.

Do I have to attend Killer Nashville to be a sponsor or vendor?

No, we welcome all sponsors. Vendors need to contact us to see if your product will fit with Killer Nashville.

How do I get a display table?

From any Killer Nashville page, hover your cursor over the Advertise tab at the top. You will see all vendor, advertising, and sponsorship options on this page.

How do I advertise in Killer Nashville’s programs?

Go to the Killer Nashville support page to look over our advertising options. Choose the options that best meet your needs and fill out the form at the bottom of the support menu. If you need assistance, email contact@killernashville.com or call us 615-599-4032.

Find us on:

Search Killer Nashville

Judy Dailey

“Killer Nashville was a wonderful experience. Because of Killer Nashville, I now have a contract with Five Star Publishing for my cozy, Animal, Vegetable, Murder. I couldn’t be happier.” - Judy Dailey, Animal, Vegetable, Murder

2014-09-17T12:47:54+00:00

“Killer Nashville was a wonderful experience. Because of Killer Nashville, I now have a contract with Five Star Publishing for my cozy, Animal, Vegetable, Murder. I couldn’t be happier.” - Judy Dailey, Animal, Vegetable, Murder

https://killernashville.com/testimonials/judy-dailey/

Steven Cooper

"Killer Nashville provides authors wonderful opportunities to advance up the literary ladder. I am flattered by the recognition and grateful to Killer Nashville for giving my work a forum." - Steven Cooper, Desert Remains

2014-09-17T12:50:21+00:00

"Killer Nashville provides authors wonderful opportunities to advance up the literary ladder. I am flattered by the recognition and grateful to Killer Nashville for giving my work a forum." - Steven Cooper, Desert Remains

https://killernashville.com/testimonials/steven-cooper/

Ross Cavins

"Killer Nashville is one of the best writing conferences in the nation, and to be a finalist in its companion award competition is of the highest honor." - Ross Cavins, Barry Versus the Apocalypse

2014-09-17T12:53:03+00:00

"Killer Nashville is one of the best writing conferences in the nation, and to be a finalist in its companion award competition is of the highest honor." - Ross Cavins, Barry Versus the Apocalypse

https://killernashville.com/testimonials/ross-cavins/

Publisher’s Weekly

Publishers Weekly has named Killer Nashville and its founder Clay Stafford as playing "an essential role in defining which books become bestsellers" throughout "the nation's book culture." (PW 6/10/13)

2014-09-17T12:38:03+00:00

Publishers Weekly has named Killer Nashville and its founder Clay Stafford as playing "an essential role in defining which books become bestsellers" throughout "the nation's book culture." (PW 6/10/13)

https://killernashville.com/testimonials/publishers-weekly-2/

Jessie Bishop Powell

"To me, writing success means recognition by a traditional press in the form of a contract to publish a physical book with real pages and an authentic cover. Killer Nashville, Five Star Publishing, and Deni Dietz made all of those things possible for me." - Jessie Bishop Powell, The Marriage at the Rue Morgue

2014-09-17T12:39:40+00:00

"To me, writing success means recognition by a traditional press in the form of a contract to publish a physical book with real pages and an authentic cover. Killer Nashville, Five Star Publishing, and Deni Dietz made all of those things possible for me." - Jessie Bishop Powell, The Marriage at the Rue Morgue

https://killernashville.com/testimonials/jessie-bishop-powell/

David Burnsworth

"Whether you are only thinking about writing, in the middle of eighty-thousand words, or feel you’re ready for publication, Killer Nashville is the event for you.” - David Burnsworth, Southern Heat

2014-09-17T12:40:56+00:00

"Whether you are only thinking about writing, in the middle of eighty-thousand words, or feel you’re ready for publication, Killer Nashville is the event for you.” - David Burnsworth, Southern Heat

https://killernashville.com/testimonials/david-burnsworth/

Rosalyn Rikel

"I decided to pitch [my manuscript] at the Killer Nashville conference in 2011. Deni Deitz from Five Star Publishing was the person who ‘caught my pitch,’ challenged me to let her see the full manuscript, and later decided to publish Millicent’s Tower. Thanks to Deni and Five Star, I am now taking pleasure in sharing my book and my story — plus the excitement of writing another one! Stay tuned!!!” - Rosalyn Rikel, Millicent’s Tower

2014-09-17T12:44:54+00:00

"I decided to pitch [my manuscript] at the Killer Nashville conference in 2011. Deni Deitz from Five Star Publishing was the person who ‘caught my pitch,’ challenged me to let her see the full manuscript, and later decided to publish Millicent’s Tower. Thanks to Deni and Five Star, I am now taking pleasure in sharing my book and my story — plus the excitement of writing another one! Stay tuned!!!” - Rosalyn Rikel, Millicent’s Tower

https://killernashville.com/testimonials/rosalyn-rikel/

Mark Troy

“Persistence pays off. So does the feedback from the Claymore judges, the agents and editors at Killer Nashville, and the contacts with the other writers. I was delighted whenThe Law of the Splintered Paddle was named the second runner up and even more delighted when, after another revision, Five Star Mysteries offered to publish it." - Mark Troy, The Splintered Paddle

2014-09-17T12:46:40+00:00

“Persistence pays off. So does the feedback from the Claymore judges, the agents and editors at Killer Nashville, and the contacts with the other writers. I was delighted whenThe Law of the Splintered Paddle was named the second runner up and even more delighted when, after another revision, Five Star Mysteries offered to publish it." - Mark Troy, The Splintered Paddle